Serves as the Public Affairs Specialist, responsible for the VHA pubic information program, involving the presentation of the Medical Center mission as well as providing information on services and activities of the staff, volunteers, members of the media, general public, Veterans, community groups, and local, state, and federal officials in ways that most effectively achieve the VHA's goals while contributing to understanding and support the Medical Center's caring and concern for Veterans.

Duties

Duties include but are limited to: Responsible for designing, planning, executing, and evaluating the public affairs program for VHA and the Medical center. Provides expertise and resources on urgent and sensitive issues for all public affairs specialists in the field and for top Medical Center management throughout the VHA. Conducts communication audits of medical centers, provides advice and support in media relations to Medical Center Directors, other PAO's, provides on site support and guidance during special events or crises and serving as mentor to lesser experienced and junior PAO's. Develops specific information materials, programs, training modules, program policies, etc., by direction and with support of the VHA and OPA. Serves as the Medical Center spokesperson. Represents the Medical Center Director at events of a public, civic, or social nature and participates in variety of events dealing with improving the perception of the VA, the VHA, and the Medical Center. Completing other duties as assigned. Supervisory Statement: A one year supervisory probation period may be required for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD066750 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/08/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Design, plan, execute, and evaluate a public affairs program. Implement a comprehensive public affairs goal-oriented program involving public information, internal communication, and community relations. Conducts communication audits of medical centers, provides advice and support in media relations. Develops written materials and make oral presentations that will increase the understanding among the public with varying levels of comprehension. Applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs and communications problems. Analyze media's and other's reaction to VHA programs and policies in developing significant input to those programs and policies. Designing and implementing a marketing plan for the VHA and the ability to conceive and coordinate imaginative slide shows, videotapes, intranet/internet Medical Center home page and other audiovisual products. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementCreative ThinkingOral Communication Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary with walking, standing, and bending required during presentations, visits, and tours of the Medical Center. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring during other than normal business hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other materials. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Sally Jordan
• Phone: 813-816-7155 X100271
• Email: [email protected]